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Navy-Marine strike group leaves on 6-month deployment
By: North County Times wire services | ∞
SAN DIEGO - More than 5,000 sailors and Marines with the Belleau Wood Expeditionary Strike Group will leave San Diego Thursday for a six-month deployment in support of the war on terrorism.
The strike group, commanded by Brig. Gen. Joseph V. Medina, will be deployed to the Western Pacific and Central Command Area of Responsibility, which includes the Persian Gulf region, according to U.S. Navy public affairs.
The amphibious assault ship Belleau Wood and the amphibious transport dock ships Denver and Comstock will depart from 32nd Street Naval Station beginning at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.
The remainder of the strike group -- the cruiser Mobile Bay, fast-attack submarine Charlotte and the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers Preble and Hopper -- will depart next month.
The strike group will carry Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Marine Helicopter Squadron 166 and Marine Service Support Group 11.
It is the first time an expeditionary strike group will be commanded by a Marine general, according to the Navy.
The deployment is part of the Navy's new Fleet Response Plan, which was developed to train naval forces for quick response to crises and in support of national interests.
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